The Miami Heat have not forgotten about their own.
A day after free-agent forward James Johnson was part of the team’s presentation to Utah Jazz free agent Gordon Hayward at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Sun Sentinel confirmed Sunday that Heat President Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra headed west for a meeting with free-agent guard Dion Waiters.
Johnson and Waiters were key elements in the Heat’s revival from 11-30 at midseason to a 41-41 finish in their first seasons with the team.
While the Heat opened their free-agency negotiations with the Hayward meeting, both Riley and Spoelstra have stressed a desire to retain Johnson and Waiters, if possible.
Both Johnson and Waiters have expressed a desire to return, but for a bump from the $4 million Johnson earned last season and the $2.9 million Waiters earned.
The two joined the Heat last summer after Riley failed in his free-agency gambit for Kevin Durant, who left the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
Johnson had attracted interest from the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, although those situations have since evolved, with the Rockets adding P.J. Tucker and the Clippers retaining Blake Griffin.
Waiters, according to the Associated Press, also has been linked to interest from the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks.
As for Heat free-agent center Willie Reed, HoopsHype is reporting he is receiving interest from the 76ers, Rockets and Pacers. Reed has been reduced as a Heat priority with the first-round selection of Kentucky center Bam Adebayo.
The NBA free-agency signing period begins Thursday at noon.
The Heat are anticipated to have in approximately $35 million in salary-cap space.
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iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman
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